Wednesday, October 01, 2008

One day before the vice presidential debate, McCain extolled his faith in running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her knowledge of foreign policy.

Palin is a relative political novice, and questions about her readiness to step in as commander in chief if necessary have intensified in the wake of an interview with Katie Couric of CBS News that was roundly criticized. Some conservative pundits have even suggested that Palin should step down. But McCain defended his VP choice.

"I've turned to her for advice many times in the past," McCain says. "I can't imagine turning to Sen. [Barack] Obama or [Sen. Joseph] Biden because they've been wrong. They were wrong about Iraq. They were wrong about Russia."

So here is John McCain, who is supposed to be an expert on foreign affairs, asking novice Sarah Palin for advice on foreign policy matters from the past? Throughout this campaign, McCain has claimed that he should be elected president because he is more experienced in foreign policy matters than Barack Obama, and yet McCain is turning to Sarah Palin, who McCain has probably known Palin for about a month, for foreign policy advice? This doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

Mr. McCain’s advisers said Friday that Mr. McCain was well aware that Ms. Palin would be criticized for her lack of foreign policy experience, but that he viewed her as exceptionally talented and intelligent and that he felt she would be able to be educated quickly.

“She’s going to learn national security at the foot of the master for the next four years, and most doctors think that he’ll be around at least that long,” said Charlie Black, one of Mr. McCain’s top advisers, making light of concerns about Mr. McCain’s health, which Mr. McCain’s doctors reported as excellent in May.